Aug 7 - Glacier Basin (Sunrise - Mt Rainier)

 The forecast last night had a sunny day today but in the middle of the night, I heard raindrops - No!

When I woke at 5:30 I checked the weather and it had rain to 8 or 9 am. Well maybe I'll loiter just a bit

this morning.

When I left the hotel around 7:30, the rain had stopped but there were lots of clouds moving fast and in spots clearing. I have my fingers crossed because in the mountains, anything can happened.

I arrived at the Sunrise gate, there are around 7 cars. Things moved pretty quickly with the 2 cars in front of me having a Pass - yea!

Lots of folks hanging around White River crossing and I see the skies were clear!!

As I swerved around the curves to the campground, around one of those curves was a clear pristine view of Mt Rainier.

Not a cloud in the sky - Awesome!

I reached the White River Campground turnoff and started my way to the parking. The road followed the river and was mostly tree'd. But in one opening, I had to slam on my brakes and pull off -- Wow!

I eventually continued into the campground looking for the parking area. I see a Picnic/Climber Parking. I think that might be where I park but I couldn't find a trail. I continue around the far side of the campground where I see a little sign that says "Glacier Basin". There's no parking but I look to my left and see a trail thru the camp sites. I know where I'm going now. I loop around to the Picnic/Climber Parking. Only a few cars and plenty of spots. I park closest to the bathroom and exit to make my walk shorter - it is a 7mile trail with 1700 ft of elevation. (Just Lambs Canyon, I keep telling myself - but I'm worried about the hike to Frozen Lake last night - do my legs have the strength? - I'll find out!)

I gear up and start down the road to the "campground trail". 0.3 miles I'm at the trail head and off I go!

There's a 0.5 miles off shoot trail to an Emmons Moraine overlook. It's at the 0.9 mile mark. I want to do the short  trail but haven't decide if I'll do it before or after. All I know is it has 900 ft of elevation and I'm climbing from the start.

Beautiful wooded trail. It follows the White River the entire way! Trail is wet and humidity is high. I'm going to be soaked before long.

Seeing lots of high quality wooded species along the trail. Amazing! I see Mitrewort, Pipsissewa, Sidebells, Pyrola, Coulers Bellflower, Rattlesnake Plaintain, Bog Orchids, Queen's Cup and Bunchberry. Unfortunately all of close-ups are blurry for some reason.

There are openings in the woodland where there are mostly Yarrow blooming but in spots some Asters.

And 7+ bridge/foot bridge crossings.

And with each bridge, a waterfall. Here are some of them - in order with some missed.

Near a few of the waterfalls that are in the open, there are Pink and Yellow Monkeyflowers in bloom.

There openings with various views.

And then more waterfalls

Fireweed

And more openings

I see a Mariposa Copper in one such opening.

I keep climbing, up another switchback, my legs are dying. This has to be the longer 1 mile I've ever gone in my life!

And my watch says if I haven't gone a mile yet, I'm walking incredibly slow.

Finally, I see a sign. I'm thinking it's the Moraine Trail (and if it is, I'm going to the viewpoint and I'm done!) But, surprise, it says Glacier Basin is 0.7 miles away! Holy cow I'm not crazy. I have gone farther than 0.7 miles. It sure feels like it! That little sign makes me feel so good! I can suffer a little more. (It took me an hour and 27 minutes to get here.)

But that feeling is short lived because I'm climbing again and it's steeper. How cruel! Very slow going for me. I'm definitely feeling last night and not hiking for 3 months (not in hiking shape for sure).

I see a frog on the trail! :)

There are more patches of flowers and I'm see Frits - 2 species - one is possible a Hydaspe Frit which would be a new one for me.

And a few Blues but they don't stop.

Foot by foot I continue and soon I see a Toilet sign.

Then the Glacier Basin Camp sign.

And then the End of the Trail sign followed my the meadow and holy cow, what an amazing view!!! Definitely God's  country!! (2 hours and 5 minutes to get here.)

I head over for a river view

There's a large rock there, perfect spot to stop BUT there's a huge army of large ants heading for that rock, I'm moving to a rock along the trail. Drop my pack; feels so good and soak in the sunlight. The view's not shabby either.

I down my potato chips -- need the salt. It's around 11:30. And I just sit and listen and watch a chipmunk.

I take a nice rest before starting my return trek - thank-you it's all downhill. I'll have to drag my legs along.

I walk thru the camp and talk briefly to a man & woman who were camped there. I wanted to know if they are climbing Rainier - nope just camping.

I walk thru the camp and feel "the urge". Yea for the Toilet. It's quite a long trail to the 2 compost toilets.

There's no toilet paper - oops! Thankfully I have one 1/2 piece of paper towel; hope it's enough. (thankfully it is).

As I grab my pack and start back, the lady I spoke to was coming to use the Toilet.

Now I can start my way back. (Just before noon.)

There are people coming up the trail now. A good number but nothing that you would see at Paradise or Sunrise.

This trail is part of an old mining road and on the way back I find some remnants.

Rainier is for the most part in the clear though there are clouds drifting by now.

I'm in auto-drive now. I think I could go to sleep and keep my legs moving.

Finally, I see the Emmons Trail. I don't think my legs will handle it but I take the trail down out of the woods, along a path thru the river rocks and to a bridge (a log with a rail). The trail obviously crosses the river. I look to the other side and see a trail up a steep slope with a couple of switchbacks. Not going to find that viewpoint today. :(

I find a Silver Spotted Skipper on the Yarrow. That's exciting!

I head back to the main trail and soon I'm back in the campground. (1:24pm)

What an awesome trail!!

I have to take a detour to get to my hotel in Ashford (near the Paradise entrance). I fight falling asleep the entire way.

Not sure my legs can take a climb tomorrow but I'm heading to Paradise anyway. After I'm done with the Park, I have a 3 hour drive to Mt Vernon so I can start my Northern Cascade portion of the trip. My original plan was to go to Mt Baker on Wed but it'll be raining on Wednesday - boo! But I'm going to try to squeeze it in on Friday.